Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

EMA 2008 was the 13th edition of the Slovenian national final format Evrovizijska Melodija (EMA). The competition was used by RTV Slovenija to select Slovenia's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. The 2008 edition of EMA took place at the RTV Slovenija Studio 1 in Ljubljana and consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. The competition was broadcast on TV SLO1 and online via the broadcaster's website rtvslo.si.[3]

Twenty songs competed in three televised shows consisting of two semi-finals on 1 and 2 February 2008 and a final on 3 February 2008. Ten songs competed in each semi-final with public televoting exclusively selecting five finalists out of the ten songs to proceed to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of public televoting. In the first round, two out of the ten competing songs were selected to proceed to a superfinal. In the superfinal, the winner was determined.

Artists and composers were able to submit their entries to the broadcaster between 10 October 2007 and 30 November 2007.[2] Over 200 entries were received by the broadcaster during the submission period. An expert committee consisting of Elza Budau (lyricist), Andrej Šifrer (singer and composer), Vojko Sfiligoj (musician and composer), Samo Koler (public representative) and Igor Pirkovič (RTVSLO Eurovision project manager) selected twenty artists and songs for the competition from the received submissions.[4] The competing artists were announced on 11 December 2007.[5] Petre Pečovnik with the song "Extrem" and Skupina Zaka' pa ne with the song "Eo eo" were later disqualified from the competition and were replaced by Brigita Šuler with the song "Samara" and Cole in predsednik with the song "Dober planet".[6]

Two semi-finals took place on 1 and 2 February 2008. Semi-final 1 was hosted by Lorella Flego and Peter Poles and semi-final 2 was hosted by Tjaša Hrobat and Jure Sešek. Ten entries competed in each semi-final and a public vote selected five entries to proceed to the final.

In addition to the performances of the competing entries, LeeLooJamais, Aleksandra Kovač and Neisha performed as guests in semi-final 1, and Trkaj, Alya, 6pack Čukur and 1996 Slovenian Eurovision entrants Regina performed as guests in semi-final 2.

The final of EMA 2008 took place on 3 February 2008, hosted by Bernarda Žarn and Mario Galunič. The winner was selected over two rounds of public voting. In the first round, the top two entries were selected to proceed to the second round: "Za svobodo divjega srca" performed by Skupina Langa and "Vrag naj vzame" performed by Rebeka Dremelj. In the second round, "Vrag naj vzame" performed by Rebeka Dremelj was selected as the winner.

In addition to the performances of the competing entries, 1995 and 1999 Slovenian Eurovision entrant Darja Švajger, 2001 Slovenian Eurovision entrant Nuša Derenda, 2007 Slovenian Eurovision entrant Alenka Gotar and Helena Blagne performed as guests.

Rebeka Dremelj during a rehearsal before the second semi-final

Rebeka Dremelj took in technical rehearsals on 11 and 15 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 19 and 20 May. The Slovenian performance featured Dremelj emerging from a green-lit cage and performing in a cape, which was later removed to reveal a green-blue dress, together with two dancers in black latex and helmets.[11] During the performance, Dremelj revealed a leash on her dancers which she took them with.[12] The stage costumes for the performance were designed by Slovenian designer Urša Drofenik.[13] Dremelj was joined by three on-stage backing vocalists: Jelena Majić, Marina Durović and Sandra Feketija. The two dancers that joined Dremelj on stage were Matej Bedič and Željko Božič, with the latter also choreographed the Slovenian performance.[14]

At the end of the show, Slovenia was not announced among the ten qualifying entries in the first semi-final and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final.[15] It was later revealed that Slovenia placed eleventh in the semi-final, receiving a total of 36 points.

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Slovenia and awarded by Slovenia in the first semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the semi-final and to Serbia in the final of the contest.